You read that right.

Visa is teaming up with OpenAI, Microsoft, Anthropic, and others to connect AI agents directly to its payments network — letting artificial intelligence spend on your behalf.

No way, that's too soon - too futuristic. RIght?

Not really. Pilot projects already launched this week.

Let’s break down what this means, how it works, and why it could change the way you shop, book, and budget.

What is happening?

Visa is embedding AI agents into the payment process. These “agents” — think next-gen versions of ChatGPT — will be able to:

• Search for products

• Make recommendations

• Stick to your budget

• And even complete transactions for you

Basically, they’re trying to make your digital assistant... actually assist you.

You set the rules. It does the shopping.

Agentic AI: Not Just Another Chatbot

Unlike regular chatbots that answer questions or summarize text, agentic AI is designed to act.

That means automating tasks you normally do yourself — like booking a flight, restocking your office, or ordering holiday gifts.

The challenge? Most agents can search and compare prices, but when it comes to paying, they get stuck.

Enter Visa.

AI can plan a shopping list, find you the cheapest toaster, and even recommend where to buy it. But until now, it’s always stopped short of completing the purchase.

Jack Forestell, Visa’s Chief Product Officer, says:

And that’s exactly what Visa is doing — making it possible for AI to make legitimate, secure payments on your behalf, under your rules.

Is it safe?

Visa says yes — and they’re building in multiple layers of control:

• Spending Limits — You decide the cap, the categories, and the conditions.

• Consent-Based Sharing — AI agents can only access transaction history with explicit permission.

• Human Oversight — In the early stages, agents will still check with you before making big purchases.

Think of it as giving your AI assistant a debit card... but one with GPS tracking, facial recognition, and a daily limit.

Sounds like this could be my new excuse? 👀 

Fun shouldn’t come at the cost of your security.

What we’re seeing here is more than a technical upgrade. It’s a shift in how transactions are made — and who (or what) makes them. Pilot programs are live, and full-scale rollout is expected next year.

Our take? Stay curious, stay cautious, but start thinking about use-cases now.

Not every transaction should be automated. But if AI can handle the boring bits — while you focus on the strategy — that’s a win.

And for business owners? This is a preview of autonomous commerce — where AI doesn’t just assist you, but actively handles tasks, freeing up your time and decision-making energy.

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